Warning – potential spoilers ahead! Read at own risk …
Ah, Young Royals… Netflix’s answer to a dire lack of queer series and films had me feeling dubious at first, wondering if pressing play would be the start of a huge mistake. I’d seen it all before – the stereotypes, the underdeveloped plot-lines, the unrealistic expectations set by unrealistic characters of unrealistic ages (and often body types). Hence my 4-year long Netflix abstinence was to be broken, only as an answer to a seven-hour journey devoid of entertainment. No unrealistic expectations here.
Perhaps it was my staggering lack of preparedness, a few enthusiastic recommendations aside, that caused it. But as I disembarked at the other end of a more-than-exhausting train ride, I felt like a changed person. No, really. Somehow, this show had me crying my eyes out. Let’s examine how such a scenario could happen…
Young Royals begins with all eyes on a certain Swedish royal family member– the second-in-line to the throne, Prince Wilhelm. The not-quite-crown-Prince finds himself at the centre of a press storm after being filmed fighting in a nightclub. This results in a speech of apology, disapproving remarks from the Queen, and a change of scene in order to protect the family name. Hillerska Boarding School, having accommodated many a royal before, opens its doors to the Prince, attracting a flurry of attention in the wake of his internet fame. August, Wilhelm’s second cousin, asserts himself as his protector. He conducts a gruelling inauguration ritual to forcibly welcome him into the Society, a secretive group of Hillerska’s most elite students. Felice, Wilhelm’s classmate, is the most intrigued by the new arrival, due to her dream to marry royalty. And this is where Simon comes in – the almost-typical social outsider – ostracised from Hillerska’s high society microcosm through his status as a scholarship student. His sister, Sara, is dissatisfied with life as a ‘non-res’, and craves the privilege of the majority upper-class student body. Simon captures Wilhelm’s attention upon his arrival at Hillerska with his vocal talent, though August swiftly intervenes to prevent such a socially unsuitable friendship from developing past anything more than an awkward ‘I liked your singing’. Nice try, August.
Somewhere in between the parties, the uncomfy moments and the abundance of choral singing, I found myself gripped by the show’s plot. As Wilhelm and Simon grew closer, so did my interest in their relationship. Despite it being at the core of the narrative, the supporting characters also gained their fair share of attention, and I began rooting for Sara as she formed a firm friendship with Felice.
Something so refreshing about Young Royals is the diversity. Not only of the characters themselves but the struggles they face. Despite the setting itself being, well, not exactly relatable for people such as you and I, the trials and dilemmas defining teenage life are fine-tuned enough to resonate with most viewers. It’s clear from the start, though, that life for Prince Wilhelm under the scrutiny of a gold-plated magnifying glass is illustrative of the stakes at hand in Young Royals. This princely life – each glance, every smile, every touch, could trigger a media frenzy or undermine the monarchy’s influence. As Wilhelm is burdened with responsibility following a family tragedy, his frustration mounts. No longer can he regard his duties with scorn, no longer can he dismiss his mother’s core philosophy – to preserve the image of the monarchy, at any cost…
Wilhelm’s internal conflict is what makes Young Royals so emotionally taxing. It jeopardises his relationship with Simon– Wilhelm constantly trying to distance himself from his feelings for the sake of dutiful compliance. The difference in social standing between the two boys, as well as Wilhelm’s frantic desire to pursue their love in secret, creates a rift between them. And this is the most heart-breaking thing of all – they shouldn’t have to hide their affection, yet they do.
The pervasive theme of hierarchy pops up in every corner of Hillerska; for instance Wilhelm’s older brothers’ advice to “do what the first years do, and what the third years tell you”. The prime example is the archaic Society, which aims to uphold allegiance to the monarchy by engaging in equally archaic activities reserved only for rich people. After Society member Alexander is caught with drugs in his possession, the remaining members know they have to let someone fall. ‘Socialist’ Simon seems the ideal scapegoat – frame him, and the group remains intact. Cue another moral dilemma on Wilhelm’s part, which sends tensions through the roof.
The course of the plot, never focussing on unnecessary drama, builds anticipation effectively. All characters’ intentions and actions drive the plot forward, with Wilhelm and Simon at the helm. August, in my view, was excessive on the antagonist front, never realising the ramifications of his power-oriented ways. I questioned whether his character could have benefitted from a few more positive interactions, so that his final, plot-defining deed would better expose his intrinsic motivation rather than reinforcing his spiteful persona. However, the cast’s performances were compelling, and I especially loved Simon’s strength of character – be it in confronting August, or in empathising with Wilhelm while refusing to compromise his own values.
The show’s ability to tackle some pretty deep-rooted issues (such as internalised homophobia) in a nuanced way convinced me of its brilliance. Subsequently, I spent hours after Episode Six ended, in serious reflection. How could it be that a show had taken me by surprise like this? I felt that no review on the internet could quite do justice to my emotional state of turmoil as the final credits rolled. Young Royals offered me a world featuring characters so real, so vulnerable, and authentic, that I couldn’t bear to lose them.
And so, I turned to Young Royals once more for some journey-home escapism. This time around, a few more subtleties seized my attention, and I began to realise the cleverness of the series’ production. Every small feature is there to be interpreted, not just witnessed. The soundtrack, the cinematography, and the costumes all combine with some impressive acting to form a grounded, convincing depiction of teenage life.
Summed up in three words: refreshing, regal, revolutionary. Please, Netflix, don’t let us down. Young Royals has so much more left to give.
P.S. Were I to present a final score, I’d give Young Royals a solid four and a half Lamborghinis out of five.
